To the Forum regarding the XMTSAS Saltire

[Monkey@Arms]

Respectfully, though, if you believe that Jamie intended this as a slap in the face, then you really do not know Jamie/Panache, who is one of the most respectful people I know. .

T.

Well, its obvious none of you have ever actually been slapped in the face by Panache. First, he has to take make a great show of taking off his immaculate white gloves. Then he usually composes some couplet that is amusing only to himself. By that time he's in need of refreshment, and a pitcher of Gin & Tonics is procured and consumed. If the offending party hasn't gotten bored and wandered off, Panache then attempts to rouse himself from the settee, and if successful, and if his pith helmet doesn't slide down and obscure his vision, then he might make some kind of glove to cheek contact. At least that's what Grant told me.

Best regards,

Jake

[robthehiker]

Well, its obvious none of you have ever actually been slapped in the face by Panache. First, he has to take make a great show of taking off his immaculate white gloves. Then he usually composes some couplet that is amusing only to himself. By that time he's in need of refreshment, and a pitcher of Gin & Tonics is procured and consumed. If the offending party hasn't gotten bored and wandered off, Panache then attempts to rouse himself from the settee, and if successful, and if his pith helmet doesn't slide down and obscure his vision, then he might make some kind of glove to cheek contact. At least that's what Grant told me.

Best regards,

Jake

In addition to being the best post I've ever read on XMarks, this may be the best post I've ever read on the internet.

[artificer]

Well, its obvious none of you have ever actually been slapped in the face by Panache. First, he has to take make a great show of taking off his immaculate white gloves. Then he usually composes some couplet that is amusing only to himself. By that time he's in need of refreshment, and a pitcher of Gin & Tonics is procured and consumed. If the offending party hasn't gotten bored and wandered off, Panache then attempts to rouse himself from the settee, and if successful, and if his pith helmet doesn't slide down and obscure his vision, then he might make some kind of glove to cheek contact. At least that's what Grant told me.

Best regards,

Jake

Don't forget, he'd have to straighten his garments and check the jaunty tilt of his pith helmet!

This post was Pure WIN!
ith:

[Big Mikey]

To the Ladies and Gentlemen of X Marks the Scot,

As the first recipient of the XMTSAS Saltire, I believe I have some entitlement to profer my feelings in public. I beg your indulgence and thank you for your time.

On August 27, 2008, my wife and I arrived in San Jose, California to spend some time with people we had met over the internet. We had spoken a time or two on the phone prior to our departure but the majority of our contact was through this forum.

Our desire to meet these people was greatly due to the show of hospitality, fun and friendship that was evident in the stories and pictures that were posted on this forum.

My wife and I were welcomed into their home as members of the family not the total strangers that we were. In a matter of hours it was like we had been there all the time. At the conclusion of our first night together, I was presented with the Saltire and instructed to carry it home. It was to spend some time with me and then be sent off to another member of the forum, promoting the friendship that begins on the forum and grows from there.

Over the next four days we had a great time, some spent with our new friends and some exploring on our own. The Saltire visited some funky eateries and saw great sites. It attended its' first kilt night at my local.

I sent it on its' way knowing that the journey it was beginning would be most wonderous indeed. And it most surely has been.

But like any journey, it would eventually end and so it seems that time has come. It is only fitting that the saga will end whence it began.

The Saltire was crafted and intended to be used as a rallying tool, something that Xmarkers could gather around and call their own, a "reason" to hold a kilt night, a barbecue or any gathering where people would get together and enjoy the fellowship and good times that wearing a kilt and being a forum member embodied.

But in reality, it is still only a piece of painted wood. The joy I have experienced in making new friends and reading of the friendships that others have made is invaluable. That is the Saltires' legacy. I am certain that no member that has hosted the Saltire will forget their time with the good ship but it is time to move on.

As others have posted, perhaps a new "mascot" will come about, perhaps multiples. If they are created and forwarded in the same spirit of "clan" that the Saltire was, we are in good shape.

Jamie, thank you for whatever prompted you to begin this project, this uniting of the Xmarks clan. May the wee ship now rest at ease, her journey ended and her mission accomplished.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your passion for the Saltire and what she represents is truly admirable and I hope that you will welcome as warmly whatever the next item is that unites us and gives us cause to join together and share a pint, a laugh, a good meal and anything that makes life just a bit more enjoyable.

[CDNSushi]

As others have posted, perhaps a new "mascot" will come about, perhaps multiples. If they are created and forwarded in the same spirit of "clan" that the Saltire was, we are in good shape.

Jamie, thank you for whatever prompted you to begin this project, this uniting of the Xmarks clan. May the wee ship now rest at ease, her journey ended and her mission accomplished.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your passion for the Saltire and what she represents is truly admirable and I hope that you will welcome as warmly whatever the next item is that unites us and gives us cause to join together and share a pint, a laugh, a good meal and anything that makes life just a bit more enjoyable.

Well said, Mikey. Thank you!

[JSFMACLJR]

Sandy, Piperdown was commenting in the negative on the "lost game- taking ball home" comment. I think you missed his dancing 'crap' signs below his quote


I did too, at first.

P/D said

Thanks for clearing that up! Hope no offence was taken.

[davedove]

And the flag itself doesn't necessarily have to be a Saltire -- why not a small banner with the Xmarks crest badge? A firm such as Caberdancer, which makes personal heraldic banners for armigers could no doubt come up with something nice and compact. No issue with "compromising" photos then.

We already have a symbol in the Xmarks badge. No need to reinvent the wheel.

T.

I thought of this as well, Todd. But how about a clan banner of the XMTS tartan with the badge embroidered on it? It certainly wouldn't have to be as large as a normal clan banner, but it would certainly represent the membership.

[Mike_Oettle]

Actually, Alan’s vehemence in defence of Jamie and the Saltire is way over the top.
I have not demanded that Jamie hand the Saltire over, nor that it be regarded as X Marks property.
I simply remarked that it had far from fulfilled its mandate of travelling around the world.
It would be nice to have another token of our friendship as X Marks members that might also go from kilt night to kilt night. Or on the other hand, there might not be a suitable replacement for it.
Let’s see what suggestions come up, without unnecessary bombast.
Regards,
Mike

[macwilkin]

Post deleted; comments taken to PM.

[Alan H]

Mike,

You certainly did not, but there were others on here that made some fairly perjorative statements about Jamie and his decision to retire the Saltire. Those were the comments that Alan was reacting to, not necessarily yours.

T.

What Todd said! Not aimed specifically at you at all, Mike.

Actually I was just pointing out some facts, and an inescapable conclusion.

Fact: The saltire is at Panache's house.
Fact: Nobody here on X Marks can make him send it to someone else.
Fact: He's stated that he won't be sending it on to anybody else except possibly Hamish.

Conclusion: Therefore, from a totally practical and emotionally-detached point of view, if the XMarks membership wants to have something to send around to participants, wherever they may reside, there will need to be a new "thingamabob" created.

all the writing in the world on this forum does not change the facts, listed above. I mean no offense, I'm just telling the truth.

All the stuff about talking and writing on the internet about it being a waste of time is just me being generally curmudgeonly. I think it's the truth, though. Nothing will happen until SOMEONE does what Panache did, and just MAKES something and starts sending it around. Talk means nothing and results in nothing.